Sunday, June 30, 2013

At first glance this may look like just another luxury hotel but once you enter it, you’ll discover the worlds largest cylindrical aquarium. 82-feet high in the heart of the hotel’s lobby atrium the AquaDom holds one million liters of saltwater and is home to many species of tropical fish. The AquaDom is maintained by the Sea Life Berlin, which is located right next to the hotel. Sea Life Berlin houses 30 freshwater and saltwater tanks, which are home to thousands of sea dwellers.

For a ninja like character The Manhunter sure made a splashy presentation. I always felt his costume was impossible not to watch and study. How all the weapons fit onto the body make Manhunter more of an action figure than a character to be taken seriously in a comic book. He's too splashy for the night and too ridiculous looking in the day. But I could never look away.

For me he looked cool. He didn't care not to be seen. He WANTED to be seen. Let his enemies know he was coming and that they are more than likely going to die. He has nothing to lose anyways so why not go out looking slick. It's too bad that he never really caught on as a mainline DC Universe character. Maybe it's because he never had a villain of rep to challenge him.

But boy he looks cool and hits a visual homerun. Neil Adam drew many adventures with Batman and Manhunter that were among the first comics I ever consumed. But it was Walt Simonson who perfected the look and especially the movement of the character for me.

There is in fact an action figure which I am happy to have in my Collection of Cool.

I never did understand what the shin guards were for but I guess if you tried to kick him in the shins you could hurt your foot pretty badly, maybe even break your shin itself which for Mui Tai fighters, could spell the end of their fighting days. But do they have to stand out so much?

I also haven't seen a character use that bundi dagger. It looks like a crutch in some of the pics but like Wolverine, sharp and pointy things are often a good thing to have on hand. Bindi daggers are ancient Indian weapons and I like that Kirk incorporates so many influences into his fighting style. It makes his dangerous in so many different ways. It's hard to defend against that kind of attack by one person.

Get ready for my entire favorite costume series. Or at least the bottom five this week.

Brother Michael Partsch does some of the best convention photography I have ever seen. I will highlight his cosplay photos another time but you have already seen many of them if you are a regular visitor to the Cave of Cool. One or two always seem to find their way into my 'best of the week' cosplay feature.

As good as his work is there, I think I like his toy and collectible photography even better. He gets right to the heart of the character and sets a mood. He should be getting some cash from these toy companies. His eye captures what is so great about these figures or items. He is genius at capturing how I love seeing these items featured if that makes any sense. He just get's it.

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Calvin's Canadian Cave Of Cool Manifesto

I forever stand vigilant to protect this planet from the myriad of forces that are always against us. Be it the octopus, zombies, aliens or the robots my team of human agents, and our feline allies, circle the globe in a never ending struggle for human freedom.

I learn all I can on every subject that interests me. I especially enjoy ancient history because in the past there are valuable lessons to be found. Also, if I ever get my time machine to work properly, it would be good to know a bit about possible destinations and what to expect when I get there.

I greatly appreciate beautiful design. Be it manufactured or found naturally I am fascinated by the process of invention. I am attracted to the unique, the strange, the haunted. I like to share what I find on this blog.

And not let us forget the 'Cephalopod Menace' who, if allowed to, would wrap their tentacles around all that is good and pure in this life and crush it until it remained no more. They are creatures of pure spite. Hate is all they know. Death is all they do. They are our most ruthless and determined enemy.

So we fight. Selena has the celebrity contacts, the cat is ruthless and without pity, Roosevelt's ghost has the experience and I do the wetwork.

Fighting for the future of the planet doesn't have to be a chore, however. We can take the time to appreciate all that is cool in this world even as we cut the octopus into bite sized chunks.

This is the reason there has always been and must forever be, a Cave of Cool. Be sure to wipe your feet before you enter.